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Careers: Engineering & Electrical Trades/Questions Answered by Expert David Coil/C. R. Construction
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Engineering Career | 4/17/2012 |
| Q: I have a question about careers in engineering and contracting. As of now, I am in a technical ... A: My brother is in the mechanical field, refrigeration and moving air. His services are going to be ... | |
| Thank you! | 3/22/2011 |
| Q: You just saved me probably $40 by answering (in 2006) a basic question re how to fix a problem of ... A: I am Soooo glad that I was the One to give the answer that solved your problem. I am learning from ... | |
| career as estimation engineer | 6/7/2010 |
| Q: I am a civil engg: graduate working as an estimation engineer in India. I would like to relocate to ... A: MOST people looking to find a new job...must first MOVE to the new location. It is extremely rare ... | |
| low voltage electrical education | 2/21/2010 |
| Q: I'm 47 years old. I've been working in the residential and commercial remodel field since the age of ... A: There are very few low volt programs...which makes no sense. All alarms systems are low volt...all ... | |
| help? | 11/11/2009 |
| Q: I'm a bit lost - on an electrical installation course and just trying to get ahead with some of the ... A: I will answer what I know. Volt meters read voltage line to line, and line to neutral. ... | |
| obtaining further training to become an apprentice or journeyman | 6/27/2009 |
| Q: I have been employed be the same company, since I graduated high school 17 years ago as an ... A: Yes Michigan is hard hit...and moving is the last option, furthering your education is always a ... | |
| Need help fixing a goof | 5/20/2009 |
| Q: I am installing an old work 1 gang box and cut the hole too big in the sheetrock by mistake. Now ... A: Gets some fairly strong tin...bend a right angle...1"x1" and 6" or so long. Use the angle to put in ... | |
| splice | 5/16/2009 |
| Q: We have a cottage and there was a power connection buried that runs to the boat house to supply ... A: The "Patch" may not have been successful, or water or moisture has gotten into the connection and ... | |
| Engineering carrer | 12/31/2008 |
| Q: Good After noon Sir, I am a final year B.E(Mechanical) student from Mumbai University(India). ... A: Mechanical Engineers WERE in high demand. It is a flooded market now....not many new hires. Only ... | |
| How is it that "Electrical & Electrical Trades" is categorized under "Chemical Engineering"? | 11/3/2008 |
| Q: David - as one of the AllExperts in the "Oil/Gas" category and having just recently applied to be an ... A: USE the contact us....it usually gets a response in 48 hrs. Keep in mind....the dummies that are ... | |
| Electrical problems | 10/24/2008 |
| Q: I have a circut thats really acting strangely. When I test it it says it has voltage to it but when ... A: Unfortunately, there are alot of possibilites. The open ground may be a signal that you lost a ... | |
| electricity | 9/23/2008 |
| Q: how are buildings protected against lighting stroke? how is electricity distributed in multistorey ... A: If there is a metal column/post on the exterior....it would get the lightning. It would be based ... | |
| Engineer in wind power | 8/1/2008 |
| Q: I've been reading about the wind power and windmill industry in California and got the impression ... A: The Tehachepis mountains, and the Livermore Altamont Pass, is HUGE wind power. 10's of thousands of ... | |
| what is better for me? | 6/24/2008 |
| Q: am in 10th now and have thought of taking science or commerce but i also want to know in streams if ... A: Commerce. NO DOUBT. Science is rewarding....and fun...but not a great carreer to get into. ... | |
| Apprenticeships | 5/31/2008 |
| Q: Coil, I am curious about how to obtain an apprenticeship as an Electrician. I also wonder how my ... A: Number 1...it sounds like you want to do it right...you have the ability to learn and looking for a ... | |
| electrical panel | 12/15/2007 |
| Q: I have a surf board factory the is in a 25 year old building. I just brought in a cnc machine that ... A: So you have a 3phase service, do you have #6 feeding a 100amp sub panel, do you have a request in ... | |
| electrric baseboard wall heater | 11/7/2007 |
| Q: when my heater is on, it makes popping sound, and carries an order. the order smells like some ... A: In many cases the metal is expanding and contracting with the flow of electricty causing the noise. ... | |
| Electrical raceway | 10/14/2007 |
| Q: I am renovating an historic building. The walls are now sandbalsted granite and brick. I need an ... A: The conduit and any other preslab inspections will be needed. Be sure to wrap any piping that is in ... | |
| Building a new home | 9/10/2007 |
| Q: My husband and I are building a new home. We are acting as our own GM. We were told that both ... A: If the low volt is not included, it will be a noticeable, but not significan difference. Maybe ... | |
| Building a new home | 9/9/2007 |
| Q: My husband and I are building a new home. We are acting as our own GM. We were told that both ... A: Plumbing is considerably less than electrical. Plumbing is limited to 4 areas. Wire is running ... | |
| Electrocution via Manhole Covers | 8/31/2007 |
| Q: In the Boston area there have been a series of cases in which dogs are electrocuted when they come ... A: If we assume it is an asphalt roadway, it is not a good conductor. If the manhole is being ... | |
| acceptance of "red seal" ticket in Grand Cayman | 8/24/2007 |
| Q: Hey There! I live in British Columbia, Canada, and I just recently earned my "Red-seal" journeyman's ... A: IN many cases the certificates of other countries is only accepted as proof of experience, but the ... | |
| 220 wiring | 8/13/2007 |
| Q: I am trying to convert my 110 volt motor two 220 volt. I installed a new double breaker in the ... A: If you dont have a meter reading when touching the two "hot" legs...then you dont have a 220volt ... | |
| electric dryer | 8/4/2007 |
| Q: After doing laundry all day last week, down to my last load, I smell this awful smell. I figured it ... A: Breakers do go bad. Not often fortunately. The wires were overheated more than once. It has been ... | |
| hi | 7/21/2007 |
| Q: re:The meter belongs to Coned...there is no place to tie in before the meter..it is wired directly ... A: At this point, I would just tell you that you should not worry about your neighbors problem. If ... | |
| hi | 7/19/2007 |
| Q: lately i ahve heard of someone that out of deseperation is hiring an electrician to install ... A: The meter belongs to Coned...there is no place to tie in before the meter..it is wired directly to ... | |
| hi | 7/18/2007 |
| Q: lately i ahve heard of someone that out of deseperation is hiring an electrician to install ... A: The utility company only cares about the wires to the meter. Any wiring done after the meter is no ... | |
| home electric problem | 7/17/2007 |
| Q: David, I do not have electricity in my two bedrooms only! All other rooms and appliances are fine, I ... A: Depending on the age of your home...newer codes have adopted that bedrooms be protected by AFCI ... | |
| Price for transformer | 4/29/2007 |
| Q: I am a retailer considering submitting an LOI on a site. Currently, the unit only has 60 amps and I ... A: Your Power Company is the place to start. Normally they will deliver the transformer needed to ... | |
| grounding | 4/19/2007 |
| Q: I work for a sign company and we do a lot of work with vinyl. We use a plotter/cutter to cut it and ... A: The machinery is not the problem. It is very well grounded. You are isolated. If you were to ... | |
| about maximum amperage on #2 copper & aluminum wire. | 3/27/2007 |
| Q: i have 2/2/4 awg service wire going up the side of my house to the peak. i have a 100amp panel now, ... A: This is not a rating system I am aware of. It may be implying #2 #2 and #4 ratings to mean 2 #2 ... | |
| electric baseboard heating | 2/19/2007 |
| Q: I have an electric baseboard heater built in to the wall (that needs to be replaced) that is 120 ... A: Actually you may be in a bit of luck. If the wire size is adequate, it may be simple enough. If ... | |
| Wiring up of 15 and 20 amp receptacles | 2/15/2007 |
| Q: It appears that 15 amp receptacles can be back wired today only by using #14 wire. If #12 wire is ... A: Mostly due to commercial applications, the codes require a separation of 15 and 20 amp circuitry. ... | |
| guy line termination | 11/17/2006 |
| Q: I have a 40' piece of 3/8' galvinized cable that I want to terminate with eyes at the ends by ... A: There are specially made wraps for this. It is not what you think it is. They have a pre twisted ... | |
| GFI protection | 10/6/2006 |
| Q: WE have an older apatment to update and the only close power to hook up a n overhead fan for the ... A: A GFCI is a Ground fault circuit interrupter. It is a circuit breaker with a fault protection. As ... | |
| Service panel grounding question | 9/23/2006 |
| Q: Since plumbers are now bringing the cold water in from the street for new homes in plastic lines, ... A: Plumbing is no longer being "grounded". It is merely a static ground now. When there is copper in ... | |
| Transformers | 9/14/2006 |
| Q: We are wanting to feed 36 construction trailers from a 4160 service while assuming all trailers will ... A: Something is missing, but I cant find it. 4100 volts or amp service. Where are your meters. 36 ... | |
| Is it good | 9/3/2006 |
| Q: IS civil engineering a good job? does the civil engineer gets alot of money or not ? do u advice ... A: RIGHT NOW THE DEMAND FOR CIVIL ENGINEERS IS EXTREMELY HIGH. I dont know how much they are ... | |
| 220/110 outlet | 8/29/2006 |
| Q: I have a 220 outlet which has two red wires, each connected to each side of the outlet and a green ... A: At the breaker, remove one red wire from the two pole breaker, wrap white tape around it and connect ... | |
| Electricity issue | 8/21/2006 |
| Q: I have recently moved from colorado to Lima, Peru. They have 220v wiring throughout the entire ... A: It will depend a little on what you have available, but If you can get a wire of some sort and ... | |
| Ceiling fan modification | 7/22/2006 |
| Q: Our roof leaked, right into my wife's favorite ceiling fan, the water dripped on the fan's circuit ... A: It sounds like you have already spent more time on it that a new one would cost. The multi wire ... | |
| Electrical | 6/28/2006 |
| Q: I just installed a Dryer in a house that has knob and tube wiring. The wire for the 220 seems ... A: The ole knob and tube. That brings back memories. It is partially the labeling of the wires. ... | |
| help | 6/28/2006 |
| Q: I am studying electrical and computer engineering in a Greek university. My studies last 5 years, ... A: Automatic controls, and digital systems are the new demands. Many new devices are being created in ... | |
| Sales Tax | 5/2/2006 |
| Q: We have been in business full time for 7 years. I have done my own bookkeeping. We have alway paid ... A: You definitly need to talk to an accountant. I dont want to give the wrong advice, but...I dont ... | |
| Determining kilowatthours | 7/5/2005 |
| Q: David, If I operate a 100-watt light bulb for 8 hours, would I say that I used 0.8 kilowatthours? ... A: You are so close...I hate to make a correction. The meter reads on time used....hour. 100watts is ... | |
| Resumes | 6/11/2005 |
| Q: Sir, I am studying MCA final year.I want to send a resume to a companies.So I need a format of ... A: There are no SET formats. Resume's are created to fit the job perspective. Name, address, ... | |
| Staying plumb | 6/6/2005 |
| Q: Something I have always wondered about is how buildings, especially very tall structures like ... A: The tool is called a "dumpy level" A site is picked on the construction area for it to reside. It ... | |
| on main lug only sub panel | 5/3/2005 |
| Q: Why when I check for voltage across the two 120V mains am I getting a reading,all power is off, the ... A: Since I am not there to visually see your complication, I will render a couple guesses. The ... | |
| voltage | 5/2/2005 |
| Q: i'm considering buying a peice of music equipment on the net because it's cheaper to buy from an ... A: With the unknown being your voltage, I will say yes. American appliances run on 110 to 125 ... | |
| Journeyman's license | 3/8/2005 |
| Q: I have been pursuing a carrer in the electrical field for the past 17 years. I have attended classes ... A: Dont give up. It is a fight they want you to take. If it aint worth fightin for...aint worth ... | |
| online job(networking) | 3/5/2005 |
| Q: please guide me about: How can i work for big or small companies via network. my location is Iran & ... A: You will need to create a Resume, detailing your skills, accomplishments, credentials, studies, ... | |
| Teaching electrical trade | 2/5/2005 |
| Q: I would like to kindly request you to give me tips/informtion on how one can effectively and ... A: Get a "code" book, and an illustrated "code" book (they are different) and go over the pics. ... | |
| engineering | 1/14/2005 |
| Q: my name is Luke. I'm an 8th student at Cass City Middle School in Michigan. We're researching ... A: I have multiple challenges every day. I would recommend, accounting, geometry, calculus, ... | |
| Fog Lights | 10/16/2004 |
| Q: I bought a pair of 12V/55W fog lights. Can I simply bypass the relay and just use an inline fuse ... A: The relay is primarily for a contact to connect both lights simultaneously. If your switch is 2 ... | |
Careers: Engineering & Electrical Trades
Answers by Expert:
David Coil/C. R. Construction
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I am a residential and small commercial contractor, and a licensed Electrical Contractor.
Experience
I have been in construction for 35 yrs. I dont know all there is....but I do know how to trouble shoot and correct most problems.
Organizations
I am a California and Nevada Licensed Contractor
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